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Here's what you need to know about Donald Trump's rally for Ted Cruz in Texas

That's what the estimated 16,000 supporters of President Donald Trump inside the Toyota Center in Houston received Monday evening from not only the event's star attraction, but also from several Republican leaders who sought to fire up voters two weeks before Election Day.

The event was organized to boost the fortunes of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz's re-election efforts ahead of Nov. 6. And, following Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Sen. John Cornyn and Cruz himself, Trump gave a full-throated endorsement to his one-time bitter rival for the Republican presidential nomination.

"Ted and I have become really good friends," Trump said, pausing to acknowledge their headline-grabbing feud of two years ago. "Nobody has helped me more (on tax cuts and other Senate votes) than Senator Ted Cruz."

The rally, which came on the first day of early voting in Texas, had thousands of people standing in line for a full day or longer. It gave the Republican statewide ticket a chance to present an image of solidarity anchored by a Republican president.

Abbott and Patrick are both heavily favored to win second terms, and Cornyn is not on the 2018 ballot. But Cruz has been grappling with the well-funded and high-spirited challenge from Congressman Beto O'Rourke of El Paso.

Polls show Cruz with steady but comparatively tight leads, but O'Rourke has outraised the Republican by a more than 2-1 margin. Texas has not elected a Democrat statewide since 1994.

Holly Crane on the floor of Houston's Toyota Center tells those in the bleachers why she attended the rally headlined by President Donald Trump.(Photo: John C. Moritz/USA Today Network)

"We need your help to keep Texas as red as the MAGA hats you are wearing tonight," Abbott said in a reference to the initials for Trump's slogan, Make America Great Again. "We need your help up and down the ballot."

Judging by the volume, the standing and cheering audience members on the arena floor and in both decks of the grandstand intended to oblige.

"I think he's just what the country needs," said Jo Ann Friedenberg of nearby Lake Jackson. "He's what my grandkids need, and what my great-grandchild needs."

Cornyn, who did not endorse Cruz during his first run for the Senate in 2012 or in his bid for the presidency, made clear he's backing his Republican colleague this round.

"Ted and I stand shoulder-to-shoulder to fight for Texas," Cornyn said."There is no stronger advocate for Houston than Ted Cruz. I need Ted Cruz back in the Senate."

Cruz, during his brief time on stage, made no mention of his past — and sometimes personal — quarrels with Trump. He lavished praise on the president and appeared to rule out a run for the presidency in 2020, saying he'll be "proud to campaign" for Trump's re-election.

"I'm proud to work hand-in-hand with President Trump to pass the biggest tax cut in a generation," Cruz said to thunderous applause.

And he unloaded on O'Rourke.

"Elections are about choices," Cruz said. "If you want a big government, gun-grabbing liberal, well the Democrats will give you one."

But Trump and Cruz were unlikely allies. During the presidential contest, the New York developer and reality TV host peppered Cruz with insults, including the impossible-to-shake "Lyin' Ted" moniker that O'Rourke invoked in last week's debate with Cruz.

For his part, Cruz called Trump a "pathological liar" and a "sniveling coward" for mean-spirited comments made about the senator's wife and father.

But since Trump has taken office, Cruz has proven to be a reliable vote for Trump's agenda, including efforts to roll back the Affordable Care Act, pass a sweeping tax cut and to promote conservative jurists to the federal bench.

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa, in a statement emailed to reporters even before the rally convened, called Cruz a shill for Trump.

“Texans don’t want shameless rubber stamps for Trump’s dangerously out-of-touch and reckless agenda," Hinojosa said. "They want leaders who will stand up for us and what we care about most, like defending our health care, strong public schools, keeping families together, and fighting for every Texans’ fair shot to get ahead."

Republican operative Jamie Bennett, who attended the rally, called the presidential visit an immeasurable plus for all Republicans on the Nov. 8 ballot.

The crowd outside the Toyota Center listens to music under the image of President Donald Trump on a giant monitor ahead of his rally on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018.(Photo: John C. Moritiz/USA Today Network Austin Bureau)

"Look at the crowd," Bennett said, rotating his neck to get at least a 180-degree view of the area from the floor. "It can't help but to fire up (Republican voters)."

University of Houston political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus, said the run-up to Trump's visit brought wall-to-wall coverage from local television stations. But that could bring a mixed bag for Republicans in swing districts, he added.

"Republican candidates locally need a bump from Trump to make sure they get their standard midterm-level turnout." Rottinghaus said. "If this is a base versus base election with elevated turnout, Republicans can’t win if Republican voters stay at home.

"There is a risk for some suburban Republican candidates to join Trump on stage," he added. "Trump and his politics aren’t mixing well with suburban college educated and female voters, many of whom vote Republican but are turned off by Trump’s rhetoric."

High in the center of the frame is a gray-haired man about to be tossed out for protesting at the rally in Houston for Ted Cruz, which is being keynoted by President Donald Trump, on Oct. 22, 2018. John C. Moritz/USA Today Network Austin Bureau

The view inside the Toyota Center in Houston as President Donald Trump fans jockey for prime floor space in front of the stage and podium before the rally for Ted Cruz begins on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. John C. Moritz/USA Today Network Austin Bureau

The 'Adorable Deplorables' dance to the Village People’s YMCA while waiting for President Donald Trump's rally for Ted Cruz to start at the Toyota Center in Houston on Oct. 22, 2018. John C. Moritz/USA Today Network Austin Bureau

The view inside the Toyota Center in Houston as President Donald Trump fans jockey for prime floor space in front of the stage and podium four hours before the rally begins on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. John C. Moritz/USA Today Network Austin Bureau

Steve Scanlon of Connecticut sells President Donald Trump-related hats, shirts and buttons at his 109th rally since 2016 outside the Toyota Center in Houston on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. He says he makes “a bit of a living” but mostly does it because he believes in Trump. John C. Moritz/USA Today Network Austin Bureau

Jenny Salinas (left), Chris Ritchie and Melanie Brooks left Austin at midnight and got in line at 3 a.m. for the President Donald Trump rally on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, in Houston, Texas. John C. Moritz/USA Today Network Austin Bureau

Supports of President Donald Trump line up four hours before a rally for ⁦Sen. Ted Cruz starts outside the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. John C. Moritz/USA Today Network Austin Bureau

Gretchen Lindquist of Houston has a message for Sen. Ted Cruz — “he’s done nothing for Texas but shut down the government and read Green Eggs and Ham.” She held a sign and wore a Tshirt for his opponent -Democrat Beto O'Rourke - as she stood outside the Toyota Center on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. John C. Moritz/USA Today Network Austin Bureau

MAGA (Make America Great Again) hats were a common accessory for the thousands of supports outside the Toyota Center in Houston on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018 ahead of President Donald Trump's rally for Sen. Ted Cruz. John C. Moritz/USA Today Network Austin Bureau

The crowd outside the Toyota Center listens to music under the image of President Donald Trump on a giant monitor ahead of his rally on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. John C. Moritiz/USA Today Network Austin Bureau